More than 50,000 residents across New South Wales (NSW) remain under evacuation alerts as Australia flooding continues to wreak havoc following unprecedented rainfall. Authorities have confirmed two fatalities and two people still missing, with entire communities isolated, power grids disrupted, and emergency services under immense pressure.
The extreme weather event, now declared a natural emergency, was triggered by a slow-moving low-pressure system that has delivered rainfall levels greater than anything seen in living memory. Many residents across the affected regions have described the devastation from Australia flooding as the worst they’ve ever experienced. According to the State Emergency Services (SES), the intensity of the downpour has overwhelmed rivers, creeks, and urban drainage systems.
More than 2,000 emergency service workers are currently deployed to assist in rescue and relief efforts. Among the many life-saving missions, 22 people have been airlifted to safety—18 from submerged homes and flooded roadways, and four from a collapsing bridge. Even pets have not been forgotten, with four dogs and a cat rescued alongside their owners in the chaos caused by Australia flooding.
“We’re far from out of the woods,” NSW Premier Chris Minns warned at a press conference. “The ground is saturated, rivers are still rising, and more heavy rainfall is forecast.” Meteorologists expect some areas to receive up to 300mm (12 inches) of rain by Friday, increasing the risks of flash flooding and landslides.
Search efforts continue for two missing individuals along the Mid North Coast. One woman went missing after her vehicle was swept away in floodwaters, and another man failed to return after walking near a flooded area. The relentless Australia flooding has made search operations increasingly difficult, particularly in isolated communities cut off by washed-out roads.
Taree has emerged as one of the worst-hit areas, with the Manning River cresting above 6.3 metres (20.6 feet) on Wednesday—breaking a flood record nearly a century old. In Moto, near Taree, police recovered the body of 63-year-old David Knowles, who died during the rising waters. On Thursday, a second body, that of a man in his 30s, was discovered in Rosewood, believed to have perished while trapped in his vehicle during the flooding.
Australia flooding emergency triggers mass evacuations, school closures, and widespread rescues as unprecedented rain lashes Mid North Coast
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed his condolences to the victims’ families, calling the loss “devastating,” and reaffirmed federal support for the ongoing response to Australia flooding. “We will stand with the communities affected and provide all resources needed to assist recovery,” he stated.
The impact of Australia flooding has rippled through nearly every aspect of life in NSW. More than 100 schools have been forced to close, thousands of homes and businesses are without electricity, and multiple evacuation centres have been opened to shelter displaced families. The financial toll is also expected to be substantial, with infrastructure damage still being assessed.
NSW SES Assistant Commissioner Colin Malone reported that more than 500 rescues have taken place since the crisis began—over 300 within just the past 24 hours. “We are still responding to emergency calls, using helicopters, boats, and high-clearance vehicles to reach those who are trapped,” he said. “The combination of continued rainfall, overflowing rivers, and flooded roads is complicating every rescue effort.”
Emergency Services Minister Jihad Dib emphasized the unprecedented nature of the disaster, stating, “These aren’t the kinds of records we want to break. We’ve never seen Australia flooding of this scale before in the Mid and North Coast regions.”
Premier Minns also urged those in evacuation zones to leave if possible. “We understand some people may be elderly, have mobility issues, or young children. But moving early not only saves lives, it also reduces pressure on emergency responders,” he said.
As Australia flooding continues to intensify heading into the weekend, authorities are calling for extreme vigilance. Residents are urged to stay away from floodwaters, monitor weather alerts, and follow evacuation orders without delay. The situation remains fluid, but with a strong emergency response and community resilience, there is cautious hope for recovery.
Source- BBC
